Playoff Dream Still Alive!

A superb first half performance paved the way for a comfortable win for the Ipswich Cardinals down in Aylesham, Kent on Sunday.

Following two heavy defeats the host team, the East Kent Mavericks looked revved up and ready to go prior to kick-off, but it was the travelling Suffolk side that dominated in the early stages.

On the opening drive the Cardinals offense looked as smooth and impressive as it has all season, with quarterback Osborne Gardner firmly in control. With the combination of power and speed in the forms of running backs Paul Borstel and Mike Bell to compliment Gardners wide open attacking style, the Cardinals marched up the field.

A great drive was capitalized on when Gardner threw a 12 yard scoring pass to Mike Royster in the Mavericks endzone. Steven Baines kicked the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Ipswich lead.
Not to be outdone the Cardinals defense wasted no time in forcing the hosts into punting the ball away on their opening possession. After the Cardinals next drive stalled, Jerome Mapps dropped a Kent ballcarrier for a big loss, forcing the Mavericks into another punt.

As the first quarter came to an end the Cardinals extended their lead. On a 4th down play with just inches required to maintain possession, Gardner drove forward before bouncing sideways and galloping some 40 yards down the Mavericks sideline for a spectacular touchdown. Baines again converted., 14-0.
Into the second quarter and both sides defences stepped up a gear. The Mavericks offense had stuttered from the beginning but they were given a lifeline when a similar 4th down play for the Cardinals failed, giving the hosts a short field and greater opportunity to score.

And they duly did score as quarterback Adam Lillis connected with an open receiver from 26 yards out, then reduced the arrears further by completing a 2 point play to bring the scoreline closer at 14-8.

Stung by this score, the Cardinal defending got tougher still. A big hit forced a fumble and rookie linebacker Mel Wilkes pounced on the loose ball. The offense clicked back into gear and Borstel capped another good drive with a 4 yard touchdown run. Baines kept up his 100% success rate with his third conversion and the half ended with the travellers leading 21-8.

The highlight of the 3rd quarter was a huge sack for a loss by Cardinals defensive lineman Sandijs Jansen, as the offensive unit lost concentration totally, giving away penalty after penalty, already assuming the game had been won!

They managed to pull their socks up in the 4th and final quarter though, and regained a focus that saw them march upfield with a purpose once more. Future prospects Jake Goodwin and Adrian Baines replaced Borstel and Bell at running back and it was Baines that scored the fourth touchdown for Ipswich as he darted into the endzone untouched behind some great blocking by the Cardinals big men of the unsung offensive line. Adrian the runner is Steven the kickers older brother, and the Baines brothers combined for the final point after kick. The ball sailed straight and true once more as Steven the younger ended another 100% kicking display.

The Mavericks consoled themselves by scoring a late, late touchdown but the day had been dominated by the Cardinals who must now lift themselves even further for their final two regular season matches, both at home, on consecutive Sundays.

First up are the Sussex Thunder, currently in second place in the division and eager to clinch a play-off place, while lastly the local derby between Ipswich and Colchester could end in relegation for the Essex outfit.

It looks like being an exciting end to the 2011 regular season and by beating the Mavericks, the Cardinals slim play-off hopes remain alive!